Paris France Hotels and City Guide

Lodging in a Nutshell

Quite possibly, Paris is the world’s ultimate city, as much for constantly reinventing itself as for remaining true to its past. Paris is most famous for the Louvre, the Moulin Rouge and the Eiffel Tower, among many more monuments. Unless visitors plan a multi-year sojourn, they dare not anticipate seeing all this magnificent city has to offer. But they can try, which is invariably un plaisir.

Paris is internationally renowned for its variety of hotels, ranging from the small family establishments to the luxurious palatial 4-star, ultra-chic hotels with jaw-dropping room rates. The total number of Parisian hotel rooms is approaching 75,000. Known as probably the most expensive city in the world is proof positive that visitors will see Paris at any price - even if the French are rumored to hate Yanks!

Paris offers excellent air and rail connections to the rest of France and Europe. International flights arrive at Roissy-Charles de-Gaulle and Orly Airports. Eurostar TGV high-speed trains travel to and from London and Paris in three hours. The Paris Metro is a fast, safe and efficient train system. The new Meteor train (No.14), a high-tech, driverless line, connects the Madeleine with the Bibliotheque de France at the city’s eastern edge.

The bus system is extensive, providing a pleasurable way to get about the city. The Balabus, operating from mid-April to the end of September, serves the main tourist sites on Sundays.

Bus and Metro tickets are interchangeable and to save money, travelers should buy a carnet of 10 tickets or Paris Visite transportation passes for 2,3, or 5 days. (www.ratp.fr). The Eurostar is the train now using the Chunnel for access to London’s Waterloo station. Eurostar’s Web station is www.eurostar.com.

Culture is alive and well in Paris. With three opera houses, 141 theatres, 134 museums, 17 music conservatories, 343 cinemas, and many art galleries and concert halls, the city is forever enticing visitors with annual events, including premier performances and exhibitions.

Paris is a blend of the traditional and modern. From one historic and artistic extreme to the other, and at all the points in between, there is an exciting variety from which to choose.

You can buy your chosen tickets in advance online or from a kiosk on the street as you stroll the city. It's suggested that you visit the theater or a gallery during your stay, even amid the busiest travel schedule.

The Euro Currency (EC), introduced in 1999, is approaching the end of its transitional phase - 31 December 2001. From 30 June 2002, Dual Circulation and single currency will be the currency with the official French currency as the FF (French Franc).

Non-European Union residents residing in France less than six months are eligible for France’s 19.6% purchase price VAT, or TVA in French.

According to the France Guide 2001, Paris is a very large, but compact, city and has grown from the center in a snail-like pattern to encompass 20 different sections known as Arrondissements.

To discover where a certain sight is located, we use the abbreviation Arr, so the first Arrondissement would be the 1st Arr, etc. Arrondissements are sometimes referred to on maps or French documents as _er. For example the first Arrondissement would be 1er, the second, 2er and so on.

Each Arrondissemenent is a unique neighborhood. When choosing where to stay, you might want to consider choosing the arrondissement most appealing to your taste. Quite literally, each Arrondissemenent offers both price and accommodation ranges for all visitors to this fabulous city.

Paris is known for the diversity of its hotels, from the small family-run properties to the deluxe palaces. With about 75,000 rooms available, Paris has accommodations to suit every visitor’s taste.

Paris offers the largest hotel capacity in the world. In addition to the almost 1,500 hotels in Paris, there are also furnished apartments, boarding houses, bed and breakfasts, accommodations for young people, student hostels and campsites. As the cultural and political capital of France, Paris is organized into 20 urban districts called Arrondissements, although the simplest and most immediately recognizable division of the city is into the Right Bank and Left Bank of the River Seine. Each section of this majestic and romantic city possesses its own unique flavor and charm.

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