Paris Overview
'Paris, I believe, is a man in his twenties in love with an older woman.' - John Berger
Gay Paree will put the joie back in your vivre.
Paris stimulates the senses, demanding to be seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelt. From romance along the Seine to landscapes on bus-sized canvases to the pick-an-ism types in cafes monologuing on the use of garlic or the finer points of Jerry Lewis, Paris is the essence of all things French.
Gaze rapturously at its breezy boulevards, impressive monuments, great works of art and magic lights. Savour its gourmet selection of cheese, chocolate, wine and seafood. Feel the wind in your face as you rollerblade through Bastille, or a frisson of fear and pleasure atop the Eiffel Tower.
Currency in Paris
Notes in France
Euro notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. It is often difficult to get change for a 500.00 EUR note.
Coins in France
One euro is divided into 100 cents or centimes. Coins of 1, 2 and 5 centimes are copper-coloured; coins of 10, 20 and 50 centimes are gold-coloured; 1 and 2 euro coins are gold-and-silver coloured. It's a good idea to keep a supply of various coins for parking meters, laundrettes, tolls etc.
Preferred Form of Payment in Paris
Credit and debit cards are convenient and relatively secure. Visa and MasterCard (Access or Eurocard) are widely accepted; AmEx cards are useful at more upmarket establishments. In general, all three cards can be used in shops, supermarkets, for train travel, car rentals, autoroute tolls and cash advances. Remember you'll need to know your PIN number (le code) to use a credit card in many hotels, shops and restaurants.
Changing Your Money in Paris
The cheapest and most convenient way to change money in France is via ATMs (known as DABs in French); they accept all the major international credit and bank cards. You get the best exchange rate by using a credit card for purchases and a debit card for cash. Travellers cheques are safe and almost universally accepted, especially in larger towns and tourist centres; they also offer better exchange rates than cash. Post offices that exchange travellers cheques give a good rate. Major train stations and fancy hotels also have exchange facilities which usually operate in the evening, at the weekend and during holidays, but the rates are generally poor.
Using a Telephone in Paris
Most public phones accept both domestic and international calls, and almost all require a phonecard.
For France Telecom's service des renseignements (directory inquiries), dial tel 12. Don't be surprised if the operator speaks no English. The call is free from public phones.
To call the provinces from Paris, dial the area code (02 to 05, depending on the area) and the local 8-digit number. To call Paris from the provinces, dial the 10-digit number (Paris numbers always start with 01).
Using a Mobile Phone in Paris
France uses the GSM 900/1800 cellular phone system, compatible with phones sold in the UK, Australia and most of Asia, but not those from North America or Japan. To use your cell phone in France, ensure you request 'international roaming' from your provider before you leave home.
Alternatively, cellular and satellite phones are available for rent or sale in Paris. France Telecom is among the big players in the industry, and their Itineris GSM cellular phone service works across Europe.
Doing Business in Paris
In Terminal 1 of the Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport, you will find a business centre. This centre has eight well-equipped meeting rooms, three offices and a VIP lounge with video services; maximum capacity is 15 guests. There are two lounges in Terminal 2 offering business facilities, with a third lounge planned. You will also find business facilities in most major hotels.
La Défense, the futuristic district at the end of metro line No 1 to the west of Étoile, is one of Paris' major business districts. The more traditional commercial hub is The Bourse (Stock Exchange), which is the financial heart of the 2e arrondissement to the north. Banks and insurance agencies have set up their head offices in solid, elegant 19th-century buildings here, and business and finance types in smart suits abound.
Media in Paris
Good French papers will be tough going with high-school French, but there's plenty of English-language newspeak available, including good coverage of local news and events. If you're homesick for English, you can tune into the BBC radio from Paris. French television has three state-owned and two commercial channels.
