Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing the day, you'll get a better value and more versatility by taking a hop-on, hop-off tour
by bus (described next) or Batobus boat (see “By Boat,” later), which provide transportation
between sights.
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours
Double-decker buses connect Paris' main sights, allowing you to hop on and off along the
way. You get a disposable set of earbuds to listen to a basic running commentary (dial Eng-
lish for the so-so narration). You can get off at any stop, tour a sight, then catch a later bus.
These are best in good weather, when you can sit up top. There are two companies: L'Open
Tours and Les Cars Rouges (pick up their brochures showing routes and stops from any TI
or on their buses). You can start either tour at just about any of the major sights, such as the
Eiffel Tower.
L'Open Tours uses bright yellow buses and provides more extensive coverage (and
slightly better commentary) on four different routes, rolling by most of the important sights
in Paris. Their Paris Grand Tour (the green route) offers the best introduction. The same
ticket gets you on any of their routes within the validity period. Buy your tickets from
the driver (1 day-€31, 2 days-€34, kids 4-11 pay €15 for 1 or 2 days, allow 2 hours per
tour). Two to four buses depart hourly from about 10:00 to 18:00; expect to wait 10-15
minutes at each stop (stops can be tricky to find—look for yellow signs; tel. 01 42 66 56
56, www.parislopentour.com ) . A combo-ticket includes the Batobus boats, too (2 days-€43,
3 days-€46, kids 4-11 pay €20 for 2 or 3 days; described later).
LesCarsRouges' brightredbusesofferoneroutewithjustninestopsandrecordednar-
ration, but for a little less (adult-€29, kids 4-12 pay €15, good for 2 days, 10 percent cheaper
if you book online, tel. 01 53 95 39 53, www.carsrouges.com ) .
Tours by Boat
Seine Cruises
Several companies run one-hour boat cruises on the Seine. For the best experience, cruise
at twilight or after dark. (To dine while you cruise, see “Dinner Cruises” on here . ) Two of
the companies—Bateaux-Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens—are convenient to the Rue Cler
hotels, and both run daily year-round (April-Oct 10:00-22:30, 2-3/hour; Nov-March shorter
hours, runs hourly). Some offer discounts for early online bookings.
Bateaux-Mouches, the oldest boat company in Paris, departs from Pont de l'Alma's
rightbankandhasthebiggestopen-top,double-deckerboats(higherupmeansbetterviews).
But this company caters to tour groups, making their boats jammed and noisy (€11.50, kids
4-12 pay €5.50, tel. 01 42 25 96 10, www.bateauxmouches.fr ) .
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