FRANCE - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 186

Obtain a map of the Métro system from one of the tourist offices and ask for a
brief explanation of its operation. Many of the Métro stations have an illuminated
map in their entrances, where, by pushing the button of your desired destination,
the entire route will light up showing what line to take, in what direction, and, when
necessary, where to make transfers.
The French refer to transfers as correspondances . Although the lines are
numbered, the reference you should remember is the direction, which refers to the
last station on the end of the line in the direction in which you are traveling. For
example, Line No. 1 has two directions: Grande Arche de la Défense in the west,
Château de Vincennes in the east. If you were visiting the Louvre and wanted
to see the Place de la Concorde next, look for the direction Grande Arche de la
Défense because your destination lies to the west.
At transfer points, watch for the orange CORRESPONDANCE sign, then disembark
and look for the direction sign for the line you want to transfer to. Proceed to that
platform and there determine from the line map how many stops to your destina-
tion.
Purchase a Paris Visite (tourist pass) valid for one, two, three, or five consecut-
ive days, which provides for travel on public transportation in Paris and surrounding
areas using the Métro, bus, tram, Montmartre funicular, or RER and SNCF (French
National Railways) lines within Ile-de-France as far as Euro-Disneyland, Versailles,
Fontainebleau, and the airports. The Paris Visite also includes discounts at many
museums and attractions, and many other valuable perks. Prices vary according
to the number of zones selected.
If you are staying in Paris for the prescribed number of days and plan to make
more than three one-way trips on the Métro or bus systems per day, the pass will
definitely save you money, and the convenience is invaluable. These passes may
be purchased in all of the main Métro and train stations in Paris, at the international
airports, Paris tourist offices, and wherever you see the RATP logo. They can also
be purchased in the United States.
For the ultimate sightseeing and transportation combination, the Paris Pass of-
fers free entry to more than 60 major tourist attractions, a range of special offers