Navigating
the Paris Metro
Paris
is divided into twenty neighbourhoods or arrondissements. Each
neighbourhood spirals out like a snail shell from the center of the
city, with the low digits all close to the center and the higher number
forming the outer rim. The Seine divides the city into the right bank
and left bank (rive droite and rive gauche). Because the city of Paris
is roughly only 6 miles across, visitors have a wide range of options
when it comes to transportation. While much of the more well known
attractions are located in the center of the city and are best
experienced by walking, there are many destinations that require other
means of transport. While taxis offer a fast and relatively inexpensive
means of travel, Paris' public transportation system offers an
enjoyable, stress-free way to explore the city.
Printable
Paris Maps
Paris
STREET
map
(pdf tourist map of
Paris)
Decide
on Paris sector/ area by magnifying up to 400% and then print on current
view. The map includes street names, Paris attractions and metro
stations.
|
Paris
METRO
map (pdf)
|
Paris
RER
map (pdf)
|
The Paris Métro system is among the best in the world and it shouldn't
take you long to get acquainted with it's operations. Constructed in
1900 by engineer Fulgence Bienvenüe and architect Hector Guimard, the
French Métro covers over 124 miles with 368 stations and 15 lines.
Servicing over 6 million residents and tourists every day, the Métro
was designed to be an efficient and reliable alternative to the
congestion of traffic. Every building in Paris is less than 500 meters
from a train station, so accessibility is never a problem. The 15 Métro
lines are identified by their final destinations, simply select the
appropriate line and take it in the direction you want. The Métro
stations are well marked, and there are ticket booths at most entrances.
If you are in town for only a few days, it may make more sense to buy a
carnet (packet) of 10 tickets. However depending on the length of your
stay you can opt for a carte orange, an unlimited weekly pass. By
filling out a simple form and taking a photo you will receive a card
that allows you to ride the system within a specified zone from Monday
through Sunday. Prices depend on the zones covered. As with other
cities, proof of payment is required on all trains. Failure to provide a
valid ticket will result in an instant fine of 35 euro, payable in cash
on the spot. Needless to say, keep your ticket with you at all times
until you depart the system.
Foreign travellers can also purchase special passes called Paris Visites,
which are valid for unlimited use on the entire RATP network. Paris
Visites can be purchased online before your departure to France and
offer the option of 1-5 days of unlimited travel. In addition to Métro
transportation, these passes offer up to a 30% discount on other modes
of transportation and other select attractions. Another advantage of the
Visites pass is that they can be used either for destinations within the
city limits, or for trips to areas outside of Paris.
The Paris Métro trains run from 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., at which point
travellers exploring the city's nightlife turn to the Noctilien late
night bus service. The Noctilien runs 7-days a week, between the hours
of 12:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. with expanded service on Saturday and Sunday
mornings. Individual tickets can be purchased once you board, however
additional passes like the Carte Orange and Paris Visite are honoured as
well.
Outside of Paris, the RER is the regional transit system and can be used
within city limits with metro ticket. RER stop are only given when no
metro is nearby. The bus system is also an excellent way to get around
but it is a bit more complicated to navigate. Each bus stop lists the
bus lines that it services and their corresponding routes.
