Arrival Information

Whatever your point of arrival, it's fairly easy to get into central Paris. The city's airports are well served by trains, buses and taxis. Paris's train stations are all very central with direct access to the métro and RER network, while the main bus station, just outside the city proper, is close to a métro station.

By air
The two main Paris airports dealing with international flights are Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly, known collectively as the Aéroports de Paris . Both have bureaux de change and information desks providing free maps and accommodation listings.

By train and bus
Eurostar trains (tel 08.36.35.35.39) from Britain terminate at Gare du Nord, rue Dunkerque, 10e. From here there are connections to the métro and RER. Arriving by train from somewhere in France or neighbouring countries, you'll come into one of Paris's numerous mainline stations, all of which are connected to the métro.

Eurolines (tel 01.49.72.51.51, ) and almost all buses coming into Paris - whether international or domestic - use the main gare routière on the eastern edge of the city at 28 avenue du Général-du-Gaulle, Bagnolet. The métro station here (Mº Galliéni), the terminus of line 3, provides a link to the centre.

By car
If you're driving into Paris, don't try to go straight across the city to your destination. Use the ring road - the boulevard périphérique - to get to the porte nearest to your destination: it's much quicker, except at rush hour, and easier to find your way at any time. Once ensconced at your accommodation, you'd be well advised to park the car at your hotel and use public transport, as parking is a major problem in the city centre.

The main tourist office is at 127 avenue des Champs-Élysées, 8e (April-Sept Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm, closed May 1; Oct-March Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm; tel 08.36.68.31.12, fax 01.49.52.53.00; Mº Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile). There is a branch offices at Gare de Lyon (Mon-Sat 8am-8pm; tel 01.43.43.33.24) and also at the Eiffel Tower (April-Sept daily 11am-6pm; tel 01.45.51.22.15). Each gives away plenty of brochures and leaflets, as well as maps.

For recorded tourist information in English, phone 01.49.52.53.56. Alternative sources of information are the Hôtel de Ville information office, Bureau d'Accueil, at 29 rue de Rivoli, 4e (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; tel 01.42.76.43.43; Mº Hôtel de Ville), and electronic billboards dotted around town. Within the new Carrousel du Louvre, 99 rue de Rivoli, 1er, below the triumphal arch at the east end of the Tuileries, you'll find the Espace du Tourisme d'Île de France (10am-7pm; closed Tues; tel 01.44.50.19.98), with stylishly presented information on attractions and activities in Paris and the surrounding area.

For what's on information, one of the best sources is the free monthly, Paris Le Journal , published by the mairie and available at the Bureau d'Accueil, as well as in museums and shops. Also good for museum and other cultural information are Paris's two listings magazines, Pariscope (with a small section in English) and L'Officiel des Spectacles , available at tabacs and métro stations.