Why buy PARIS By The Numbers?
Because PARIS By The Numbers is as necessary as your passport.  You get both an in-depth and at-a-glance look at Paris.  It’s the only guide that has the most up-to-date information and no other guide has 2,000 Best-of-Paris listings.  At just $16.95 you will get your money’s worth the first day.

PARIS By The Numbers guide offers advice on what to do
if you lose your passport while you’re in Paris.

Be careful when looking at prices because the French use commas where we use decimal points and the Euro maintains this style. An example is: $100,50 in French means $100.50 USD.

Is it necessary to speak French when we travel to Paris?
No.  Paris is truly an international city filled with diversity of cultures and languages.  Visitors are welcome from everywhere. It does help if you at least know a few words:

Hello: Bonjour (bon-joor)
Thank you: Merci (mare-see).

If you try to speak a few words in their language, the French people really do open up and try to help, if they can.  A lot of menus have English translations.

What is the time difference?
Paris is 6 hours ahead of the Eastern Time zone in the US. France observes Daylight Savings Time.

How far is Paris from the airport(s)?
Paris is 15 ½ miles south of Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport (CDG) and 9 miles north of Orly Airport. You can easily get into the city from the airport by bus, train, taxi, or private car. Shuttle service is the least dependable, it seems.

Is It confusing to get around Paris? And, is the Metro safe to take?
Paris is not confusing – especially when you use PARIS By The Numbers travel guide and Paris Pratique street map – the two best and easiest-to-use sources while in Paris.

The Metros (subways) are usually clean.  They have route maps that show you how to pick the right line to take you where you want. The buses are usually on time and you can use the same tickets as the Metro.

Walking is the most ideal way to see Paris, savor all of the sights, and enjoy the delights that each neighborhood offers.

A rental car is not necessary because the transportation system of trains, buses, and metros generally operate seamlessly, unless there is a strike.

What about electricity? Will I be able to use my own hairdryer? Or laptop?
Leave your hairdryer at home.  Most hotels equip bathrooms with hairdryers.  Call your hotel first, before you pack one.  Electricity is different in France.  It runs on 220-volt, 50-cycle AC rather than 110-volt, 60-cycle AC in the US.  For laptops, oval socket adaptors to plug into the wall work the best.  Never plug your computer into any socket before asking about surge protection.  You will also need to check for a 220 to 110 volt switch or power converter and also a multiple socket extension cord.  .

How do I use the telephone?
Most public telephones only accept phone cards, called télécarts. Sold at post offices for €7.50. 
To call Paris from the US, dial: 011-33-1 + 8 digit number in Paris.
To call the US from Paris, dial 00-1-area code + 7 digit number in US.

What’s the weather like?
Paris has basically the same four seasons that we have, except with much less snow and much more rain. Other than that there is nothing consistent about the weather. We’ve been to Paris in July, when it was 50 degrees, and we’ve been in February, when it was a sunny 70 degrees. For weather forecasts, www.meteo.fr

TIP: Make sure you ask about air conditioning because a lot of hotels do not have it.

Most important are comfortable walking shoes. For women, almost as important are accessories, such as a scarf or two. They will add color and a change to any outfit.

How should I dress?
Some people don’t care if they look like tourists – after all, if you’re carrying a map, a camera, a bottle of water, and wearing sneakers – you are a tourist.

However, if you prefer your style to be somewhat Parisian, then may we suggest:

• DON’T wear sneakers.
• DO wear black.
• DON’T wear jeans (unless you are 22 years old)
• DO wear accessories.
• DON’T wear sweat suits.
• DO carry a backpack, if you like – in Paris, they are everywhere!
• DON’T wear shorts.
• DO dress comfortably
• and DO bring a good pair of walking shoes.

The men will be pleased to know that jackets, and especially ties, are not considered obligatory in most of the restaurants and, if they are required, the staff usually offers to lend you one. While we are on the subject of restaurants, ALWAYS dress up for dinner. By “up” we mean that if you wear shorts during the day, wear a skirt to dinner. Be neat and stylish in your own manner.

One “Bank” does not have more sights than the other. They each enjoy a rather distinctive history and much has been written of their “pasts.” If the Right Bank is known for its expensive stores then the Left Bank is known for the artists and writers who lived there years ago.

Every visitor to Paris, leaves with their own preference of which “Bank” is perfect for them!

Remember your manners: no one wants to be bossed around, or yelled at, or pointed to.
Also, try to remember to begin your conversations with a Parisian with “Bonjour” first, and try not to leave before saying “Merci. Au revoir.”

Smoking vs. Non-Smoking?
All of France is now “officially” non-smoking in all public spaces, museums, bars, and restaurants. At smaller cafés with outside terraces, look for traces of ashtrays before you sit down if you are vulnerable to second-hand smoke.

Cafés open up for business earlier, usually do not close after lunch, and stay open later at night. You will find sandwiches, salads, and other choices in a café restaurant.

Brasseries originally signified places where you could drink beer and find something to eat late at night. Today, a lot of cafes that serve lunch have the word “brasserie” on their awnings.

A bistro usually offers a more traditional menu selection of hearty French cuisine, with some good wines. You’ll find a chalkboard listing today’s fare, more intimate, and usually family-owned.

Yes, if you use one of the hundreds of public pay toilets on the street (they are well lit and heated.) Yes, if you are in the train station, or Carousel du Louvre, for example, and visit les toilettes, (usually down a circular stairway) and find a slot in the door to insert a coin.
No, If there is someone leaving the stall and offers to hold the door open for you, rather than let the door close. Even strangers leaving the stalls in “pay” toilettes will hold the door open upon leaving the stall, for the next person, unless there is an attendant in view.

By French law, cafés have to let you use the facility regardless of whether you are dining there.

A TIP: There is NO CHARGE is you are sitting in the café and go down the stairs to use the toilettes only to discover that there’s a coin slot. Simply go ask the mâitre ‘d or waiter for a coin to use, no problem.

How’s the shopping?
Fantastic! You will find just about anything and everything and objects d’art that you never even dreamed of! Some of the prices are so low you won’t believe how lucky you are … and some are so high, you can’t imagine how anyone could afford them. There are so many tiny shops that will magically lure you inside.Many shops will ship back to US and feel free to inquire about costs.

What are the regular business hours?
Banks are open M-F, 9am – 4:30pm. Closed for lunch.

Museums are open 9ish am – 6ish pm.
Closed Mondays or Tuesdays.

Shops, 9ish am – 7ish pm. Closed Sundays.
Many are also closed during lunch hours.

Post Office, 8am – 7pm.
Closed National Holidays.

Does PARIS By The Numbers have hotel listings?
Not right now. We have personally visited many different hotels in Paris and know that the word “quaint” has as many meanings as there are hotels. And the star system can get confusing because some hotels do not want another star because they have to pay more to the government. Everyone has their preferences – by location, by Left or Right Bank, by amenities and services offered, and by price.