Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For some sights, you can book tickets online and print a receipt (either from home or
atyourhotel)thatservesasyourentrypass.ThisworksgreatattheEiffelTower(though
youmustchooseanentrytime)andtheJacquemart-AndréMuseum,aswellasforactiv-
ities like the Bateaux-Mouches cruises and Sainte-Chapelle concerts. Increasingly, other
sights are adding this helpful service. However, buying Paris Museum Passes and cer-
tain tickets online is not worth the cost or hassle because you have to either pay dearly
to have them shipped to you or print vouchers and redeem them in person at a Paris TI.
Bookstores:
Paris has many English-language bookstores, where you can pick up guide-
books (at nearly double their American prices). Most carry Rick Steves titles. My favor-
ites include:
•
Shakespeare and Company
(some used travel books, Mon-Fri 10:00-23:00, Sat-
Sun 11:00-23:00, 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, across the river from Notre-Dame, Mo: St.
Michel, tel. 01 43 25 40 93).
•
W. H. Smith
(Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00, Sun 12:30-19:00, 248 Rue de Rivoli, Mo: Con-
corde, tel. 01 44 77 88 99).
•
San Francisco Book Company
(Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00, Sun 14:00-19:30, 17 Rue
Monsieur le Prince, Mo: Odéon, tel. 01 43 29 15 70).
Public WCs:
Most public toilets are free. If it's a pay toilet, the price will be clearly indic-
ated. If the toilet is free but there's an attendant, it's polite (but not necessary) to leave
a tip of €0.20-0.50. Booth-like pay toilets on the sidewalks provide both relief and a
memory (don't leave small children inside unattended). The restrooms in museums are
free and the best you'll find. Or walk into any sidewalk café like you own the place, and
findthe toilet inthe back. Ifyouhave tobuysomething, yourcheapest option istoorder
a shot of espresso
(un café)
standing at the bar. Keep toilet paper or tissues with you, as
some WCs are poorly stocked.
Parking:
Street parking is generally free at night (19:00 to 9:00), all day Sunday, and any-
time in August, when many Parisians are on vacation. To pay for streetside parking, you
mustgotoatabacandbuyaparkingcard
(unecartedestationnement)
,soldin€10,€20,
and €30 denominations. Insert the card into the meter (chip-side in) and punch the de-
sired amount of time (generally €1-2/hour), then take the receipt and display it in your
windshield. Meters limit street parking to a maximum of two hours. For a longer stay,
parkforlessatanairport(about€10/day)andtakepublictransportorataxiintothecity.
Underground lots are numerous in Paris—you'll find them under Ecole Militaire, St.
Sulpice Church, Les Invalides, the Bastille, and the Panthéon; all charge about €30-40/
day (€60/3 days, €10/day more after that, for locations see
www.vincipark.com
). Some
hotels offer parking for less—ask your hotelier.
Tobacco Stands
(Tabacs):
These little kiosks—usually just a counter inside a café—are
handy and very local. They sell public-transit tickets, cards for parking meters, postage
